To the Reader.
nothing of being in danger of being ſubjected, and enſlaved to the pleaſure of Princes, and of becoming inſtrumental to their luxury, and tyranny, as alſo being deprived of all liberty, as once Raimundus Lullius. The truth is, the greateſt matter that Philoſophers aime at, is the enjoyment of themſelves, for which cauſe they have ſequeſtred themſelves from the world, and become Hermites: Well therefore and like a philoſopher ſpake Sandivogius, when he ſaid, Beleeve me, if I were not a man of that ſtate and condition that I am of nothing would be more pleaſnt to me, then a ſolitary life or with Diogenes to live hid under a tub; for I ſee all things in this world to be but vaniry, and that deceit, and covetouſneſſe prevaile much, that all things are vendible, and that vice doth excel vertue. I ſee the better things of the life to come before mine eyes, I rejoice in theſe: Now I doe not wonder, as before I did, why Philoſophers when they have attained thus medicine, have not cared to have their daies ſhortned (although by the vertue of their medicine they could have prolonged them) for every Philo-
